[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 53 (Wednesday, April 27, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S4391]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        NURSE ANESTHESIA PROGRAM

  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, so often we talk about collaboration 
between the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense. Today, we have 
a terrific example of such sharing. I specifically want to call 
attention to an innovative training program for nurse anesthetists. In 
an attempt to maximize scarce resources, VA and the U.S. Army have 
pulled together their resources to help prepare VA for fields in 
anesthesia.
  Out of this joint VA/DOD effort has transpired one of the top 
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist programs in the country. The 
program offered at the U.S. Army Medical Department Center and School 
at Fort Sam Houston, TX, has been said by its students to provide top 
of the line Army training in the field of nurse anesthesia. This type 
of training can be carried over to VA and will promote a seamless 
transition for those servicemembers that need continued treatment upon 
return from active duty.
  In addition to the clinical training, during the second phase of the 
program, the students also receive invaluable lessons that simply 
cannot be taught in just any training facility. By sitting side by side 
with Army and Air Force classmates, the students are able to gain a 
greater appreciation and understanding for the different branches of 
the armed services and the culture of the military. Knowing that they 
are being cared for by someone who understands their background and by 
someone who speaks their language, veterans are provided with a level 
of comfort that can only be beneficial as they receive health care 
treatment.
  This VA/DOD nurse anesthesia training program only provides a glimpse 
of the strides VA is making and hopefully will continue to make in 
training and educating current and future health care workers--despite 
budget constraints. I applaud VA for its leadership to the health care 
community and for its collaborative efforts to ensure quality health 
care. As ranking member of the Committee on Veterans Affairs, I will 
continue to fight for veterans and make sure that they receive the 
health care that they deserve.

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